12776 - 2 Researchers in Paleoclimate Modelling

12776 - 2 Researchers in Paleoclimate Modelling

Apply for the 12776 - 2 Researchers in Paleoclimate Modelling role at CMCC Foundation - Centro Euro Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici.

Deadline: December 15th, 2025

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking two highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researchers to join the climate modelling team of the ERC Synergy Grant project EUROPest. This ambitious six‑year interdisciplinary project investigates how social‑ecological systems shaped epidemic disease dynamics in pre‑industrial Europe (1300–1800), combining historical, archaeological, ecological, genomic, and climatic data. Grounded in resilience theory and actor‑network approaches, EUROPest advances a novel eco‑bio‑social framework to capture the complex, multicausal dynamics of disease emergence, transmission, and societal response. The international consortium includes leading partners from Poland, Germany, the United States, Latvia, Spain, and France.

Role Overview

The two researchers will play a central part in EUROPest’s climate modelling activities by designing and conducting high‑resolution paleoclimate simulations over Europe and the Mediterranean for the period 1300–1800 CE / last millennium. Simulations will be based on fully forced climate models, such as ICON‑CLM, and high‑resolution Earth System Models (ICON‑XPP). They will follow the most recent PMIP7 protocol, incorporating changes of external forcings (solar, volcanic, orbital, greenhouse gases, and land‑use) to ensure physically realistic representation of past climate variability. The position offers a stimulating research environment and the opportunity to contribute to a major ERC‑funded initiative at the cutting edge of climate and historical sciences, while publishing findings in high‑impact journals and presenting them at international conferences.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute high‑resolution regional climate simulations over Europe and the Mediterranean for the period 1300–1800 CE and/or last millennium.
• Implement and adjust external forcings following PMIP7 protocols, including solar, volcanic, orbital, greenhouse gases, and land‑use/land‑cover changes.
• Downscale global model output to bridge the gap between large‑scale climate patterns and regional societal processes.
• Develop, test and optimise model configurations using RCMs (e.g., ICON‑CLM) or high‑resolution ESMs (ICON‑XPP).
• Analyse model output across seasons and climate indices (temperature, precipitation, drought, extremes).
• Compare simulation results with high‑resolution climate reconstructions from EUROPest partners.
• Evaluate model–data consistency, identify systematic biases, and assess robustness of regional climate signals.
• Contribute to uncertainty quantification and validation of simulations against proxy‑based datasets and documentary evidence.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary EUROPest teams (climate reconstruction, landscape archaeology, historical epidemiology) and institutional partners across Europe and the US.
• Support the integration of climate modelling results in eco‑bio‑social analyses of historical disease outbreaks.
• Prepare high‑quality scientific publications and contribute to joint project deliverables.
• Present research findings at international conferences, workshops, and internal project meetings.

Requirements

• PhD in climate/atmospheric/ocean science, geosciences, physics or a related discipline.
• Profound experience with regional and/or global climate models (e.g., ICON‑CLM, COSMO‑CLM, WRF, ICON‑XPP).
• Familiarity with land‑sea‑atmosphere coupling and development of modules for high‑resolution downscaling.
• Experience in model–data comparison and paleoclimate evaluation techniques using multivariate statistical (and AI) tools.
• Proficiency in scientific computing, high‑performance computing (HPC), and scripting (e.g., Python, Bash, CDO/NCO).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary, international research team.
• Willingness to take responsibility, show initiative, and contribute actively to the research agenda and development of the group.
• Interest in historical climatology, paleoclimate‑society interactions, or interdisciplinary climate research.
• Proven publication record in climate science or modelling.

Duration, Compensation & Benefits

• Position will be issued both internally and externally.
• Appointed at the Bologna CMCC office.
• Appointment period: initially 24 months starting from October/November 2025, with a gross annual salary range of €40,000–€50,000 depending on post‑doctoral experience. Tenure can be granted from 2 to 4 years after appointment as a junior researcher.
• Welfare package for a minimum 12‑month contract.
• Flexible working time as per internal policies.
• Support during immigration process, if needed.

PROTECTED CATEGORY

Belonging to legally protected categories (e.g., Art. 68/99) will constitute a preferential condition. Some fiscal benefits could be applied for repatriated workers or foreign researchers/professors, under Dlgs 147/2015 (for repatriates) or Dl 78/2010 (for foreigners).

Equal Opportunity Employer

CMCC is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics. Please omit from your CV any data you or we might consider discriminatory.

How to Apply

To learn more about this opportunity and submit your application, please refer to the official CMCC Foundation job portal.